BATON ROUGE — LSU (17-13-1, 3-5-1 SEC) returns home for a Southeastern Conference series this weekend as the Tigers face Auburn (21-11, 1-8 SEC) in Alex Box Stadium.
Game 1 of the LSU-Auburn series is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Game 2 will start at 3 p.m. Saturday, and Game 3 begins at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets for each game are $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12. Tickets are available at Alex Box Stadium each day two hours prior to first pitch, or they may be purchased and printed at www.LSUsports.net.
All three games will be carried by the affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network (WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge).
The audio broadcasts and streaming video of all three games are available in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net.
Sunday’s game will be televised regionally by Cox Sports Television (Cable Ch. 37 in Baton Rouge).
LSU won its first SEC series of the season last weekend at Alabama, as the Tigers captured two of three games against the Crimson Tide. Auburn earned its first SEC win of 2007 last Sunday versus Ole Miss, posting a 3-2 victory over the Rebels.
“I think we played pretty well last weekend at Alabama,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri, “and hopefully that will catapult us to some more success in the rest of the season. We know Auburn is a very talented team, and I think we’re going to have a tremendous challenge. It’s supposed to be cold here, so we may have to make it a small-ball type series, which will be good for us. We’re anxious to be back at home.”
Junior left-hander Charlie Furbush (3-3, 3.97 ERA) will start Friday’s game on the mound for LSU. Furbush pitched effectively in last Friday’s win at Alabama, though he was not involved in the decision. He limited the Tide to two earned runs on three hits in six innings with two walks and a season-high 10 strikeouts.
Auburn coach Tom Slater will counter on Friday with sophomore right-hander Paul Burnside (4-1, 3.50 ERA).
LSU true freshman designated hitter Blake Dean enters Friday’s game riding an 11-game hitting streak, the Tigers’ longest of the season. Dean is batting a team-high .333 (38-for-114) with seven doubles, two triples, two homers and 24 RBI.
LSU true freshman left fielder Ryan Schimpf is hitting .322 with one double, one triple and four homers, including a three-run blast Tuesday night versus Tulane at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La.
Another of the Tigers’ true freshmen, center fielder Jared Mitchell, is hitting .295 and is a perfect 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts.
Auburn is led at the plate by catcher Josh Donaldson, who is hitting .364 (44-for-121) with 13 doubles, eight homers and 35 RBI. Outfielder Mike Bianucci is a .309 hitter with five doubles, one triple, eight homers and 30 RBI.
Auburn is hitting .296 as a team with 23 homers. The Plainsmen ? paced by outfielder Bruce Edwards’ 17 steals — have stolen 60 bases in 75 attempts this season.
LSU leads the overall series with Auburn, 78-62, and the Tigers have won 10 of their last 14 games with the Plainsmen, including a three-game sweep at Auburn last season.
LSU has captured six of the last eight SEC series with Auburn, including four straight series victories at Plainsman Park (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006).
Auburn’s only series victories over LSU in the past eight seasons have both come in Alex Box Stadium (2001 and 2005).
SERIES FACTS
Auburn Tigers (21-11, 1-8) at LSU Fighting Tigers (17-13-1, 3-5-1)
DATES/TIMES
Friday, April 6 ? 7 p.m. CDT; Saturday, April 7 ? 3 p.m. CDT; Sunday, April 8 ? 1 p.m. CDT
STADIUM
Alex Box Stadium (7,760) in Baton Rouge, La.
TICKETS
$8 adults, $5 children ages 3-12 — available at Alex Box Stadium each day two hours prior to first pitch; tickets may also be purchased and printed at www.LSUsports.net
SPECIAL EVENTS/PROMOTIONS
FRIDAY
Free LSU team photos will be presented to the first 1,000 fans in the stadium
SUNDAY
Easter Egg Hunt for all kids ages 12 and under
RADIO
LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates, including WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge
INTERNET
Streaming video and audio broadcasts of all three games in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net;
Live stats at www.LSUsports.net
TV
Sunday’s game will be telecast regionally by Cox Sports Television (Cable Ch. 37 in Baton Rouge)
SERIES RECORD
LSU leads, 78-62
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Game 1
LSU ? Jr. LHP Charlie Furbush (3-3, 3.97 ERA, 45.1 IP, 21 BB, 49 SO)
AU? So. RHP Paul Burnside (4-1, 3.50 ERA, 43.2, IP, 14 BB, 37 SO)
Game 2
LSU ? So. LHP Ryan Byrd (4-0, 3.48 ERA, 31.0 IP, 4 BB, 25 SO)
AU ? Fr. RHP Taylor Thompson (3-0, 3.48 ERA, 33.2 IP, 19 BB, 29 SO)
Game 3
LSU ? Fr. RHP T. J. Forrest (1-1, 3.18 ERA, 17.0 IP, 6 BB, 13 SO)
AU ? So. RHP Justin Bristow (1-2, 5.48 ERA, 21.1 IP, 6 BB, 18 SO)